Stringent security measures will be put in place for Rangers supporters travelling to the Champions League match at Manchester United this month.

Violence marred Rangers' last visit to Manchester, for the Uefa Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg at Eastlands in May 2008. The then-Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, labelled it "a disgrace".

This time, the Scottish team's fans will be forced to meet at Wigan Athletic's DW Stadium before boarding official coaches to Old Trafford.

Officials from United and Rangers are due to discuss arrangements for the Group C encounter on Sept 14 at a Uefa security workshop in Vienna on Wednesday.

The authorities are also aware of internet chatter among United supporters who remain antagonistic towards Rangers because of a perception that the violence led to the cancellation of a homecoming parade following United's Champions League final victory against Chelsea in Moscow seven days later.

Rangers are due to receive 3,500 tickets for the fixture and the Scottish champions are determined to control distribution.

Following talks involving Rangers, United, Greater Manchester Police and Strathclyde Police, a 'collective agreement' has been reached that will mean a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol consumption and the use of the DW Stadium as a processing area for those supporters issued with tickets.

A Rangers statement said: "All travel will be by coach under the official designation of the club. Coaches will travel to the DW Stadium in Wigan where catering and rest facilities have been organised for fans.

"All [Rangers] fans will meet at the DW Stadium where they will then be transported by official coach to Old Trafford. There will be no exceptions.

"Tickets for the match will be allocated by a club official during the coach transfer from Wigan to Old Trafford.

"Tickets will only be issued to the named recipient on the transfer from the DW Stadium to Old Trafford and tickets will not be issued to anyone under the influence of alcohol."

With Rangers issuing tickets only to their travel club members, they are advising no one to travel independently to Manchester.

Police, United and the local authorities remain confident that the fixture will pass off without incident in the manner of Rangers' previous visit to Old Trafford for a Champions League group game in November 2003.